'Terrorism a real threat to Chinese society'

Beijing, Dec 24: Terrorism has become a “real threat” to the Chinese society, a state-run daily said Thursday, stoutly defending an anti-terrorism law. An editorial “Criticism of anti-terrorism law misguided” on Thursday said that the US State Department on Tuesday expressed “serious concerns” to Chi over the new anti-terrorism law. It claimed that the law would restrict people’s freedom of expression and association. “Some alysts believe that the US is concerned that the law will require US tech firms operating in Chi to hand out core data which will affect their interests,” said the daily.

It said that formulating anti-terrorism law is a “typical interl affair of Chi”. “Terrorism has become a real threat to the Chinese society, and it is the need of the hour to have such a law. The legal interests of US companies should be guaranteed, as they help advance Chi’s opening-up policy. But it’s also tural to expect US firms in Chi to cooperate with Chi’s anti-terror efforts,” the daily added.

It noted that if US companies are worried that the Chinese government is trying to boost the competitiveness of domestic firms through regulatory means, they can safeguard their own interests via legal means. “But they cannot refuse to cooperate with the governce of the country.”

The editorial went on to say that the world has not formed a consensus on defining terrorism. “Many countries have not released a formal definition, while the definition in the Chinese anti-terrorism draft law could be the clearest one yet.” According to the draft, terrorism is defined as any proposition or activity that, by means of violence, sabotage or threat, generates social panic, undermines public security, infringes persol and property rights, and meces government organs and intertiol organisations - with the aim to realize certain political and ideological purpose.  (IANS)